Then shipped the whole lot north. I'll be reunited with 'it all' in Anchorage tomorrow, then riding northwestward on Friday morning.

The plan is to enjoy, at whatever pace feels right at the time, a tour of the South Route of the Iditarod Trail. Not racing, no aspirations of producing an all-inclusive video, just touring. Riding bikes with friends, camping under stars and (fingers crossed) aurora, stopping for mooseburgers and moose chili and swiss moosesteaks as often as they present themselves.

In a matter of minutes I'll be turning off that light switch, walking out that door, and spending the better part of the next few weeks phoneless and computerless.